Integrated machine control



Jan. 4, 1944. F, M CARROLL 2,338,404

INTEGRATED MAcHNE CONTROL Filed April 14, 1942 4 Sheets-She'et 1 Jam 4,1944- F. M. CARROLL 2,338,404

INTEGRATED MACHINE CONTROL Filed Apl'ril 14, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 2lnvzror': Frederick M Ca'rroH I Jan. 4, 1944. F. M. cARRoLL 2,338,404

' INTEGRATED MACHINE CONTROL FileqApril 14, 1942 4 sheets-sheet 3 Jan.4,11944. F, M. CARR'OLL 1 2,338,404

INTEGRATED MACHINE *CONTROLl Filed April 14, 41942 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 loe,

Patented Jan. 4, 1944 2,338,404 INTEGRATED MACHINE CONTROL Frederick M.Carroll, Tulsa, Okla., assigner to Shell Development Company, SanFrancisco, Calif., a corporation of Delaware Application'April 14, 1942,Serial No. 438,909

' (Cl. 19a-.01)

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to a combination clutch and speed controlmechanism, the speed control being effected by means of an enginethrottle, electric motor switch or rheostat, or scoop tube or fillingvalve for a hydraulic coupling. It is applicable to any machinerywherein a combined clutch and speed control are advantageous, such assmall marine applications, construction machinery, and constructionhoists, and pertains more particuiarly to a simplified combinationcontrol for oil field draw-works, such as are used on well servicingrigs and others.

Well servicing unitsy may be of the 'portable truck-mounted,skid-mounted, or stationary type, and may, for example, be used forpulling rod and tubing strings, or bailing or swabbing. Whentruck-mounted, for example, these units may have a ycollapsible derrickor mast and generally comprise a hoist or draw-works having either asep# arate prime mover or a power take-off from the truck engine. Thedraw-Works usually includes a countershaft driven by a prime moverthrough a multi-speed transmission and gears, belts, or chains, drivesprockets on the countershaft, a drum shaft with either a singlesprocket or with high and low speed sprockets, either a single clutch orhigh and lov7 speed clutches for selectively connecting the desired drumshaft sprocket with the drum shaft, a proper number of drive chainsconnecting the drum shaft sprockets with the drive sprockets on thecountershaft, or with aligned sprockets on a jack shaft, which, in turn,is connected by a drive chain to a line shaft drive sprocket, springmeans for disengaging the drum shaft sprocket from the drum shaft whenthe drum is not being driven by the countershaft sprockets, a brake forthe drum and the drum shaft, and individual control levers for each ofthe clutch or clutches, the prime mover speed control, and themulti-speed transmission. With so manycontrols to operate simultaneouslyor in rapid succession, it is diicult for the operator to carry out hisduties with a maximum of eiciency, since it is necessary for him at thesame time to watch the traveling block or the tubing, etc., beinghoisted, and the activities of his fellow workmen. Furthermore, thecomplexity of the controls frequently necessitates their location at apoint adjacent the 'draw-works, and in the case of a hoist mounted on atruck carrying a portable derrick, puts the operator in such a positionas to have a limited view of the well head, the crew on the derrickfloor, etc.

In certain modern hoist apparatus, a portion of the manual effort anddexterity required of the operator has been eliminated by the use offluidoperated clutches and duid-drive transmission mechanisms.Fluid-operated clutches make possible the application to the clutchfaces of heavy engaging pressures, giving high torque capacity, which itis frequently impossibleto obtain by means of manually operatedclutches. Fuliddrive transmission mechanisms, such as fluid clutches andhydraulic torque transformers, permit smooth application of power to thedrawworks, greatly reduce shock loads, and eliminate frequent stalls ofthe prime mover. However, with the type of control now in use, fulladvantage cannot be taken of the possibilities offered by said clutchesand mechanisms.

Although simplified control mechanisms for the operation of the primemover and the draw-works clutches have already been proposed, thesemechanisms have hitherto applied to the operation of only a singleclutch, have involved no special features for taking full advantage offluid-operated clutches and .duid-drive mechanisms, and have not oiferedeasy simultaneous one-hand control of prime mover speed and clutchoperations, but have for the most part required considerable physicaleffort to operate. Moreover, when duid drives are used, it isadvantageous to engage the .friction or positive clutches while theprime mover is at idling speed, thus reducing the shock or slip of theengagement to a minimum, after which the throttle is opened. 'This is aprocedure, however thatl is foreign to operators accustomed to the 4useof direct mechanical drives, who would notsense the possibilitiesoiiered with the fluid drive, `and the tendency is for the operator toaccelerate the prime mover considerably before engaging the clutch.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention` to provide acontrol apparatus applicable to hoist units and, more particularly, toportable oil field rigs wherein one lever controls lthe throttle of aprime mover and the operation of uidactuated-clutches transmitting thepower of said prime mover to a draw-works.

It is another object of this invention to provide an easily operated andsimplified control mechanism which may be easily arranged in a desirableposition relative to the draw-works, derrick and well head.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a control mechanismwherein the operations of clutch engagement and acceleration can beperformed only in the sequence desired foroD- timum performance.'

It is still another object of this invention to provide in combination ahoist unit comprising a simplified control mechanism, wherein one levercontrols in an enforced operational sequence the throttle of a primemover provided with a fluid drive and the huid-operated clutchestransmitting the power of said prime mover to a drawworks.

@ther objects will be apparent from the following description taken inreference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure I is a schematic plan Viewy of an embodiment of a draw-works andcontrols of the present invention.

Figure II shows an enlarged detail of the fourway valve of the controlmechanism, showing the valve ir crosssection transverse to the axis ofrotation.

' Figure III shows an enlarged detail of another embodiment of afour-way valve, showingthe valve in cross-section transverse to the axisof rotation.

Figure IV is a side elevation ofthe handle and associated parts of thecontrol mechanism.

Figure V is a perspective View of the control handle and a slotted platefor controlling the sequence of operations. f l

Figure VI is a schematic View of a'preferred form of hydraulic torquetransformer for use with the present invention.

Figure VII is a schematic view in section of a preferred form offluid-operated clutch for use with the present mechanism.

Figure VIII is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIII-VIII inFigure VII.

Figure IX is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in FigureVII.

Figure X is a perspective view of the control apparatus as arranged forthe selective operation of four clutches with combined throttle control.

Figure XI is an enlarged plan view of the throttle-connecting anddisconnecting mechanism shown inFigure X.

Figure XII is a sectional elevation of the mechdrive, and a controlhandle or lever operatively connected to both the multiple-Way valve orvalves and the prime mover throttle, as will hereinafter be more fullydescribed.

Referring to Figure I of the drawings, a brief embodiment of the presentinvention comprisesl a driving or prime mover unit, such as an internalcombustion engine i (although a steam or electric unit may also be used)suitably 'mounted on a skid base or a truck (not shown) and a fluiddrivemechanism il directly connected to the engine l. The speed ci the engineis responsive to and is controlled by the throttle or acceleratorschematically shown at tt.

The fluid drive unit t) may be of any suitable l design and either ofthe positive displacement type or the turbo type. Likewise, it mayor maynot embody torque transformation. A suitable fluid transmission, forexample, as schematically illustrated in Figure VI, compactly combines acentrifugal pump impeller 6I and a multiple stage turbine 62, the formerconnected to the engine I by input shaft 63 and the latter to an outputshaft 5. The circulating nuid (indicated by dotted lines and arrows)passes alternately through and reacts against the stages of the turbine62 and the stationary blades S4 mounted in the fhousing.

The output shaft 5, as shown in Figure I, is operatively connected bymeans of a chain 6 to a countershaft l', which carries low and highspeed drive sprockets 9 and I 0, respectively. These low and high speedsprockets 9 and II) are, respectively, connected by means of chains IIand I2 to low and high speed sprockets I3 and I4 rotating freely on ashaft I5 which carries the driven unit, that is, the rope drum I8. Thesprockets I3 and i4 are selectively connected to the drum shaft.

ten, or more clutches, some of which may be operated alternatively andsome simultaneously. It will be obvious that, by the means hereinafterdescribed, the control system may be extended and adapted to perform allnecessary operations on Vthese larger rigs with a single control handle.VI'fne pressure fluid-operated clutch may be any one of a number oftypes, such as a, conventional jaw or friction clutch with operatingcylinder attached to the shifting yoke, an inilatable member mountedwithin a friction drum, or any other suitable type. For example, anair-operated clutch as illustrated schematically in Figures VII, VIIIand IX is preferred. The sprocket I3 rotates freely on the drumshaft I5by means of the bearingA TI, but is constrained from longitudinalmovement along the shaft. A suitable metal ring 'l2 is securely fastenedto sprocket I3. A circular front plate lI3 is solidly keyed to the shaftI5. is fitted to the shaft I5 by means of internal gear teeth 'I6 and asplined section 'I1 of the shaft I5 in such a manner as to permitlimited axial movement of drum-shaped member 14 along,

shaft I5, butno relative turning'movernent between the two. Attached tothe outer circumference of front plate 13 is a packing I9 effecting apressure tight seal between .plate 'I3 and drum 'f4 despite longitudinalmovement of the drum '54. Projecting from the inner face of the drum Idis a coaxial tubular portion i5 adapted to carry therein a packing 8|which effects a tight seal between the drum 'I4 and an upset portion t2of the shaft i5. A friction element 8J! made of suitable material suchas leather, canvas, compositionsthereoi, etc., is securely attached tothe outer face of the drum It in position for selective frictionalengagement with metal ring i2. The pressure-tight annular space orchamber 35 thus enclosed between the front plate i3 and drum 'Mlcommunicates with the pressure fluidv conduit 2! lthrough coaxial boreS1 and radial channel 38 in the drum shaft I5 and a suitable rotarypacking gland Bt carried by the conduit 2| and arranged about the outerend of the shaft I5. A plurality of springs 9I circumferentiallydisposed between the front plate '13 and drum 14 are in tension and tendVto keep drum Iii retracted and friction element 8E out of contact Adrum or dish-shaped member 14 Vclutches are exhausted and disengaged.

with metal ring 12. When, however, through the valve and other mechanismelsewhere described, a fluid, such as any suitable liquid, e. g.,compressed air, is injected into the enclosed annular chamber 85 toforce the drum 'I4 away from the front plate 13 until the frictionsurface element 84 is firmly in contact with plate ring 12. Thus, torqueapplied to sprocket I3 is transmitted through frictionally-grippedelements 12 and 82 to drum 14 and thence through the internal gear teeth16 and splines 11 to shaft l5 as long as pressure is supplied throughconduit 2|. If this pressure be released through conduit 2|; springs 9|retract drum 14, separating elements 12 and 8E and permitting sprocketI3 to rotate freely without affecting shaft I5.

The clutches I8 and I9, as shown in Figure I, are operated by supplyingair `or fluid pressure through conduits 2L and 22, respectively, througha four-way valve 23 from a pressure fluid or compressed air line 2|)leading from a source of pressure fluid or air. The four-Way valve 23,as shown in Figure Il, is so arranged that either one of the conduits 2|or 22 may be connected to the pressure line 20 While the other of theconduits 2| or 22, as the case may be, connects with the atmosphere or alow pressure reservoir through an exhaust line 25, whereby only oneclutch at y a time can be subjected to air or iiuid pressure to engageone of the sprockets I3 or iii with the drum shaft I5. It is alsopossible through the four-way valve to simultaneously connect both ofconduits 2| and 22 to the exhaust conduit 25 while the pressure line 23remains blocked off. The source of pressure fluid supply from which thepressure line 20 lea-ds may, for example, comprise a compressor 28(Figure I) operativelv connected to the engine by means of a belt 23.-An accumulator or surge tank V23 may be provided in the pressure vline2U, if desired.

As shown more fully in Figure ll, the multipleway valve, preferably afour-way valve 23, cornprises a stationary casing 33 having a'bore 3|and radial ports 32, 33, 34 and 35, connecting said bore 3| with the lowspeed clutch conduit 2|, the exhaust line 25, the high speed clutchconduit 22, and the air or pressure fluid line 23. respectively. Closelyfitted within the bore 3| of the casing 30 is a rotatable plug 33 havingtherein passages 31 and 38 adapted to provide selective simultaneouscommunication between ports 32 and 35, as well as ports 33 and 34; orbetween ports34 and 35, as well as ports 32 and 33; or between the threeports 32, 33, and 34, which latter position is a neutral position inwhich both An axial bore 46 through the plug 36 provides a passagewaythrough the valve for a throttle control rod 4|. Surrounding the rod andattached coaxiallyto the valve plug is a tubular member t3.

For some applications on drilling and wellservlcing rigs, it isdesirable that one or the other of two clutches be at all times engaged.In this case, a four-way valve of a type known as a four-way four-port90 turn valve, having no neutral position'rnay be used. As shown inFigure III, a suitable valve of this type comprises a stationary casing|30 having a bore I 3| and radial ports |32, |33, |34 and |35 cmnectingsaid bore |3| with the low speed clutch conduit 2|, the exhaust line 25,the high speed clutch conduit 22, and the compressed air line 20,respectively. Closely iitted Within the bore |3I of the casing |30 is arotatable plug |36 having two transverse passages |31 and |38 adapted toprovide fluid communication simultaneously between pairs of ports |32 to|35 inclusive. With this type, exhausting of one clutch is simultaneouswith pressuring of the other, and it is impossible to disengage oneclutch without engaging the other.

The control mechanism, aswill be seen from Figures I, 1V, and V,comprises a lever 50, one

end of which is pivotably connected to the end v of the throttle controlrod 4I and the other end is fitted with a handle knob 5|.v Pivotablyattached between the ends of the control lever 50 is the outer end ofthe horizontal portion of the inverted `l..shaped extension 52 of a yoke53 (Figures 1V and V) which is attached to the outer end of the tubularvalve-operating member 43. It may readily be seen from Figures IV and Vthat movement of the knob end of the lever 50 in a plane transverse tothe axis of the throttle control rod di, rotates the tubular member 43and the plug 33 o the four-way valve 23, whereby the clutches it and i3are selectively operated. When the control lever 50 is moved back andforth in a plane through the axis of the throttle control rod il isreciprocated, whereby the throttle or accelerator 53 of lthe engine l isactuated.

If desirable, however, the valve 23 need not be coaxial with theoperating tubular member 43 but may be offset and the rotary motiontransmitted from member i3 to valve 23 by means of suitable sprocketsand chain, pulleys and belt, bell cranks and connecting rod, or gears.

in order to secure the aforementioned advantages o enforcing thesequence of operations and compelling the engagement of clutches atidling speed, and positively preventing clutching or deolutching atother than idling speeds, there is provided a plate til having thereinan E-shaped slot tl through which the lever 58 passes and by which thetravel of the lever 50 is limited to the desirable position, as shown inFigure V. It is obvious that the engine may be accelerated by moving thelever up through the middle slot of the three parallel slots, but thatfrom this middle slot, no clutch engagement can be effected. On theother hand, either clutch may be selectively engaged, by moving thelever to the slot forming either to stop or bottom of the E (marked lowand high on plate 33 in Figure V) only after which the throttle may beopened. Thus, clutching and declutching can be performed only with thethrottle at a predetermined idle setting, with obvious reduction ofclutch slippage and shock.

The above-described embodiment illustrates a method of selectivelycontrolling two clutches. However, if a `greater number of clutches areto be selectively controlled, this is accomplished by means of thehereinbelow described embodiment shown in Figures X, XI and EHI. A leverhaving fitted thereon at one end a handle knob 3l, is pivotallyconnected preferably at the other end to rod or tube 33. Pivotablyattached between the ends oithe control lever 95 is the outer end of thehorizontal portion of the inverted L- vof the lever 95 is restricted bymeans of a plate ||5 having a multiple-branched slot ||6 in the form ofa pair of interconnected E-shapes, as

shown in Figure X. The lever @E passes through the slot HB and hasseveral diilerent high and low throttle positions as indicated at e. b,c. d, e, f. y. h, i, i, and 7c, depending on which clutch, it any, isengaged. Coaxial with rodez tube @6 are four-way valves and 06, whichare similar to the valve 23, illustratedin Figure lil. ilotvEn ever,instead of a rod ci and a tubular member 43 as in Figure 1li, to carryout similar functions in. valves |05 and it, there is provided, as shownin Figure X, on rod t a feather hey ifi-i2, operaiaing in co-linearheyways illtl and lil@ in valves |05 and itt, respectively. Thus, rod ortube 9@ may reciprocate through the bores of valves Hilti and i136, butany rotary motion oi is trans ierred to valve its or i tt, depending onwhether key |02 is situated in keyway or keyway lili-l. The fact thatrotary motion of can taire place only when lever $5 is in portion dmc--or porm tion h-b-y of siot il@ prevents movement of more than one valveat a time.

Onvalve it, conduits Ztl, il, 22, and 25 lead to the high pressure fluidsupply, 'to the clutches, and to the exhaust, respectively, in a, mannersimilar to that heretofore set forth in relation to the embodiment shownin Figures li, Il, and VH. Conduits A, ZIA, 22A and iulll the samefunctions on an additional pair of clutches. Rod 3S extends on throughvalves lub and tot, terminating in plug or plunger itis) (as shown morefully in Figures Xl and Xll) rigidly ate tached thereto, as by weldingPlug lil@ is provided with a key Ml land is sldably -ltted into a tube II0 provided with an end closure lil, i rod |08 rigidly attached to theend closure l ll extends to throttle 56 for controlling its action andthereby the speed of the prime mover. Tube H0 is so mounted as toreciprocate freely along its axis within proper limits, but isrestrained from rotary movement in any manner desired such as a key H7and keyway l lil in an open asse,

IH from one Wide slot H3 to the other wide i slot H4. These slots H2,H3, and H4, are preferably arranged in such a way that with controllever 95 in neutral position, for example, as at a, the center line ofkey MI coincides with the longitudinal center line of the slottedportion oi tube H0. The width of the' wide end slots H3 and H4 is suchas to permit control lever 95 to move its full required travel in eitherdirection in a plane normal to the axis of rod 96 without tending toimpart any rotary motion to tube H0. The length of narrow slot H2 issuch that from the transverse center line of wide slot H3 to thecorresponding center line of the other Wide slot H4 is equal to thedistance from the transverse center line of keyway |04 to thecorresponding center line of keyway |03 in the valves |06 and |05,respectively. Throttle control rod |08 is normally held retracted awayfrom the control lever by a suitable resilient means, such as a spring(not shown), holding the throttle of the prime mover in idling position.It can easily be seen that should control lever 95 be moved in guideslot H6 from its position a to position b, key |4| will pass from wideslot H3 through narrow slot H2 and into the other wide slot Vl I4. Then,should lever 95 be further advanced toward positon c, key |4| must pulltube Hi! toward the control handle, thus opening the throttle, while.however, all clutches remain in the neutral positlon. Should lever 95 bemoved in guide slot il@ from position a topositiond, it can be seen thatkey its will rotate the core of valve |08 counter-clockwise, admittinguld into one o1' the clutches controlled by valve4 |06. At the sametime, lrey lfll is rotated counter-clockwise into one of the sideextensions oi slot H3. Then, lif lever @t is `moved to position e, keyitil must pull baci: tube il@ and with it rod t-, thereby opening thethrottle. The-return through guide slot llo from position d to aobviously returns -botlrthrottle and valve tot to their originalpostions. in the same manner, moving the lever in slot il from positiona through position to position c' produces a clockwise rotation in` thecore ot valve and the same reaction as before oi tube it@ and associatedparts. Move-I ment oi lever Q5 through slot liti to position b bringslrey tilt? into valve m5 and key lili through narrow slot lli? into Wideslot Het. While the two lreys have moved axially, there has been nomovement of either valve nor of the throttle coneffect except that thecore of the valve 105 is rotated clockwise, admitting fluid into theother clutch connected to valve |05, and the throttle is opened throughtraction exerted by keyy ll in the other side extension of slot HS.

lt is obvious to those skilled'in the art that by the adding ofsuccessive E-shaped slots to guide plate H5, adding successive four-wayvalves adjacent to valves |05 and |06, lengthening of plug |09 and'tubeH0, and the addition of alter- -nate wide and narrow slots correspondingtoslots H2 and i It, that this system canv be extended to effect thecontrol of 6, 8, or more clutches,

the number being limited only by the practicable y `structure or floorof the derrick, and close to the Well head.' This arrangement, besidessubstantially simplifying the manipulations performed l by the operator,results in improved vision and and efficiency. Since the placing of theoperator on the derrick floor and the simplification of hismanipulations will enable him to assist in the operations, such as inbreaking out tubing, it is possible to operate a tubing crew with oneless man than is now necessary.

It will be noted that the present system is especially adapted for usein combination with primemovers provided with hydraulic or electrictorque transformers and duid-operated clutches, since it; permits theinstantaneous and complete engagement of the clutch at a moment when thethrottle of the prime mover is at a very small open-v ing., which, in aconventional draw-works instalmade and that this system of control canbe applied to any machinery involving a controllable prime mover andclutch or clutches, that it may be applied to the switch or rheostatcontrol of electric motors, to the throttle control of steam engines, tothe scoop tube or filling valve of variable-filling hydraulic couplings,that it may be applied not only to the type of clutch described, but tomanually-operated clutches, conventional jaw or friction clutches withfluid power cylinder, inflatable clutches, and electrically-operatedclutches, that it may be applied to machinery with variable-voltagetransmission systems in connection with the prime moverl or withmechanical drive to any machinery with a non-stallable prime mover, andthat it may be adapted to use with any practicable number of clutchesthrough extension of the control means set forth in Figures X, XI, andXLI. It is furthermore obvious that should simultaneous operation of anumber of clutches be desired, that by suitable piping, each of theports, such as 2i and 22, may be connected to two or more clutches,

i claim as my invention:

,1. in a draw-Works mechanism for oil and gas Wells, thecombination of athrottle responsive driving unit, a rotatable driven unit, separatesprocket means each comprising a pressure fluid operated clutch forselectively transmitting power from said iirst to said second unit athigh and at low speeds, a source of pressure fluid, means comprising amultiple way valve for selectively applying said uid to one of saidclutches to engage said clutch, a rod member operatively connected tothe throttle of said driving unit and to said valve and adapted forreciprocation along its axis and for rotation about its axis, thesetting of said throttle and of said valve being respectively responsiveto the reciprocating and the rotational motion of said rod member, andsingle control means connected to one end of said rod member and adaptedto reciprocate and to rotate said rod member.

ially operated by a, displacement of said single ever.

3. In a mechanism including a prime mover, a throttle for said primemover, driven means, and clutch means for operatively connecting saidprime mover with said driven means, the improvement comprising anintegrated control means for said throttle and said clutch means, saidcontrol means comprising a source of pressure iluid, multiple-way valvemeans for selectively actuating said clutch means into operativeposition, rod means operatively connected t0 said throttle and saidvalve means and adapted for reciprocation along its axis and forrotation about its axis, the setting of said throttle being responsiveto the reciprocating motion. of said rod means and the selective settingof said valve means being responsive to the rotational motion of saidrod means, single lever means operatively connected to said rod meansfor reciprocating -and rotating said rod means, and guide means 2. In adraw-works mechanism for oil and gas f Wells, the combination of athrottle responsive driving unit, a rotatable driven unit, separatesprocket means each comprising a pressure fluid operated clutch for:selectivelyl transmitting power from said rst to said second unit athigh and at low speeds, a source of pressure Iiuid, means comprising amultiple way valve for selectively applying said iluid to one vof saidclutches to engage said clutch, control means comprising a rod memberadapted for recipro` cation along its axis and a tubular membersurrounding said rod member and adapted for rotation about its axis, oneof said members being operatively connected to the throttle 0f, saiddriving unit and adapted to regulate the setting of said throttle byreciprocating motion, and the other memberbeing operatively connected tosaid valve and adapted to regulate the selective setting of said valveby rotational motion, and single lever means pivotably attached to thevends of said members for rotating and for reciprocating said members,whereby the throttle and the selective clutch valve may be sequeniorrestricting the movement of said lever means in predetermineddirectional paths, whereby a desired setting of the throttle and of theselective clutch valve means may be effected in a predetermined enforcedsequence by a displacement of said single lever along said predetermineddirectional paths.

4. In a mechanism including a prime mover, a throttle for said primemover, driven means, and. a plurality of pressure huid operated clutchesior selectively and operatively connecting said prime mover with saiddriven means for transmission of power at predetermined speed ranges,the improvement of an integrated control means for said throttle andsaid clutches comprising a source of pressure fluid, a four-way valvefor each pair of clutches for selectively applying said fluid to one ofsaid clutches to actuate said clutch into operative position, a rodmember adapted for reciprocation along its axis for rotation about itsaxis, selective means operatively connecting said rod member to saidthrottle, `said selective means having a neutral position allowing alimited free reciprocation oi said rod member without afiecting saidselective means and said throttle, engaging means on said rod member foroperatively connecting said. member with a valve when said rod member isaxially moved while in neutral position in relation to said throttleselective connecting means, the setting of said throttle beingresponsive to the reciprocating motion of said selective throttleconnecting means, the selective setting oi' each of said valves beingresponsive to the rotational motion of said rod member when operativelyconnected thereto, and single lever means operatively connected to saidrod member, whereby a, desired setting -of the throttle and oi'aselective clutch valve may be effected by a displacement of said singlelever.

5. In a mechanism including a prime mover, a throttle for said primemover, driven means, and clutch means for operatively connecting saidprime mover with said driven means, the improvement comprising anintegrated control means for said throttle and said clutch means, saidcontrol means comprising a source of pressure fluidQmultiple-Way valvemeans for selecmeans and the selective setting ci said valve means beingresponsive to the rotational motion oi said rod means, single levermeans operatively connected to said rod means for reciprocating androtating said rod means, and guide means tor restricting the movement oisaid lever means in predetermined directionall paths, `whereby a desiredsetting of the throttle and ci the selective clutch valve means may beedected in a prede.- terinined enforced sequence by a displacement oisaid single lever along said predetermined di-I rectional paths, saidguide rceanscoinprising a stationary slotted plate througli which saidlever ineens posses, the slot therein having substantially an Enshape.

d, in a mechanism including a prime mover, a vthrottle ior said primemover, driven means, and a plurality of pressure huid operated clutchesier selectively and operatively connecting said prima mover with saiddriven lirusans for transl ission ci power at predetermined speedranges, improvement oi an integrated control means for said throttle andsaid clutches comprising a source oi pressure huid, a iouir-tva'j valvefor each pair o clutches for selectively applying said .fluid to one oisaid clutches to actuate said clutch into operative position, a rodnieraber adapted :tor reciprocation along its axis and ior rotationabout its axis, selective means operatively connecting said rod memberto said throttle, said selective means having a neutral positionallowing a limited iree arial movement ci said rod member withoutaffecting said selective means and said throttle, engaging means on saidrod l member for operatively connecting said member with a valve whensaid rod member is axially moved While in neutral position in relationto said throttle selective connecting means, the setoi said throttlebeing responsive to the re ciprocating motion of said selective throttleconnecting means, the selective setting of each ci said valves being.responsive to the rotational motion of said rod member when operativelyconnected thereto, single lever means operatively connected to said rodmember, and guide means for restricting the movement ci the lever meansin predetermined directional paths, whereby a desired setting of thethrottle and a selective clutch valve may be effected in a predeterminedenforced sequence by a displacement of said single lever means alongsaid predetermined clirectional pat-li.

7. in a power mechanism, the combination oi a variable speed drivingunit, speed regulator means for said driving unit, a rotatable drivenunit, separate means each comprising a pressure 4iiuid operated clutchfor transmitting power ironi said i'lrst to said second unit atdifferent speed ratios, a source oi pressure duid, means comprising amultiple-wav valve for selectively applying said fluid to one oi saidclutches to enn gage said clutch, a rod member operatively con nected tothe speed regulator ineens and to said valve means and adapted forreciprocation along its axis and for rotation about its axis, the set=zting ci one of said means being responsive to the reciprocating motion,andthe setting oi the other of said means being responsive to the rotantional motion of said rod member, and single control means connected toone end of said ,rod member and adapted to reciprocate and to rotatesaid rod member.

il. .in a mechanism including a prime mover,

a speed regulator for said prima mover, driven means, and clutch meansoperatively connecting said prime 'mover with' said driven means, theimprovement comprising an integrated control means for said speedregulator and said clutch means, said control means comprising a sourceof pressure :duidfrnultiple-way valve rneans for se= lectively actuatingsaid clutch. into operative po-B sition, rod means operatively connectedto said speed regulator means and said valve means and adapted forreciprocation along its axis and for rotation about its axis, thesetting oi one of said means being responsive to the rotational motionoi said rod means, and the setting of the other of said means beingresponsive 'to the rotational motion of said rod means, single levermeans operatively connected to said rod means for reciprocating androtating said rod means, and guide means for restricting the movement ofsaid lever to a iixed path, whereby a desiredsetting of said speedregulator and valve means may be effected in an enforced sequence 'by adisplacement of said single lever along said xed path.

FREDERICK M. CARROLL.

